Worth One’s Salt - Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing

Learning a new idiom like ‘Worth One’s Salt’ every day can boost your band score in the parameter of Lexical Resources. Using such words in sentences can add depth to your answer and showcase your ability to communicate like a native. This will be helpful in the IELTS Speaking & Writing Sections and demonstrate how you have a good command of the English language.

Therefore, it is important to become proficient in the usage of the idiom in order to use them appropriately in sentences. To do this, you must incorporate a few tricks while getting familiar with the meaning. By involving yourself with the exercises, you will build confidence and be just a step away from achieving a band score of 8+.

What is the Meaning of ‘Worth One’s Salt’?

As you are learning new IELTS Vocabulary words, it is necessary to first know the meaning of those words and how to use them in sentences. By doing so, you will sound like a native and natural which will boost your score. It is recommended that you note down all the required details about the idiom of the day, ‘worth one’s salt’.

Idiom’s Origin:

In some ancient societies, roads and cities developed as a result of the salt trade. The expression to be worth one’s salt, which means you’re competent and deserve what you’re earning, is most often said to have its roots in ancient Rome, where soldiers were sometimes paid in salt or given an allowance to purchase it. The word salary is derived from the Latin “salarium,” which originally referred to a soldier’s allowance to buy salt.

The table below depicts the meaning, synonyms, collocation, and example sentences for the idiom, ‘worth one’s salt’.

How to Use‘Worth One’s Salt’ in IELTS Speaking & Writing?

Using idioms accurately and appropriately can help you understand cultural nuances and have a natural command of the language. To score a higher IELTS Band Score, you need to keep a few tricks in mind so that you will not only learn new words but also use them effectively. Below are some of the strategies which can guide you as you learn the idiom ‘worth one’s salt’.

• Before using any idiom, you need to first understand the context in which you can use it. Remember that just learning the meaning will not fetch you a good band score; instead dive into the surrounding words as well.
• It is important not to overuse the idioms to the point where the meaning of the sentence is lost. Along with that, it would showcase redundancy in your answers, which can affect your band scores.
• In the IELTS Writing, use the idiom to strengthen an argument about ability or value. With this, the idioms, if used appropriately, can help support a clear, logical point.
• To enhance fluency, it is recommended to try not to use the idiom, since that could showcase how hesitant you are. Try to place the idiom naturally so that there is no abrupt change in your flow of ideas.
• Combine the idiom with strong collocation to sound natural. Such expressions can add depth to your answer while showcasing precision in using the term. Therefore, once you learn the idiom, practice it with common IELTS topics where the word would fit naturally in both the Speaking and Writing modules.
• To avoid making mistakes in sentence formation, you must write different types of sentences using the idiom. This will help you to incorporate the term as you indulge yourself with the main topics from IELTS Grammar.

Check out the video to learn the top IELTS Speaking Idioms for Band 9.

Exercises for the Idiom ‘Worth One’s Salt’

1. Something that is very easy is _________________________.
2. Someone who is in a difficult situation is _________________________.
3. Someone who is a good worker is _________________________.
4. Something someone doesn’t like is _________________________.
5. Someone who is difficult to persuade in an argument is _________________________.

1. He was very salty at work, so he was worth his salt.
2. She is worth salt, so the company promoted her.
3. The manager is worth one’s salt because he speaks loudly.
4. If you want to be worth the salt, you must study hard.
5. I am not worth my salt because I like chocolate.

1. I’ve tried to persuade Emily not to marry Bob. After all, he’s 20 years older than she is. But she won’t listen.

1. Well, she’s always been worth her salt.
2. You know, she’s always been a hard nut to crack.

2. Tanya received a very challenging assignment at work, and she completed it three days early.

1. She shouldn’t cry over spilt milk.
2. She’s always been worth her salt.

3. I can’t believe Mira handled that angry customer so calmly and professionally.

1. That’s why she’s not worth her salt.
2. That’s exactly why she’s worth her salt.

4. Despite being under pressure, Neil managed to succeed in the new project.

1. Any project manager worth his salt would have done it.
2. He’s too salty to manage projects like this.

5. The intern made a few mistakes, but she’s learning quickly and handling tasks efficiently.

1. She’s starting to prove she’s worth her salt.
2. She seems like she’s biting off more than she can chew.

Answer to the Exercise for the Idiom of the Day ‘Worth One’s Salt’

Did you attempt the three exercises? Before looking at the answers, you must try attempting them by yourself so that you would enhance your knowledge for the IELTS Exam. Now it is time to look at the correct answers to the exercises for the Idiom of the Day ‘Worth One’s Salt’ which is given below.

EXERCISE 1 

EXERCISE 2

1. He was very efficient and dependable at work, so he proved he was worth his salt.
2. She is worth her salt, so the company promoted her.
3. The manager is worth his salt because he leads the team with skill and integrity.
4. If you want to be worth your salt, you must study hard and deliver good results.
5. I am not worth my salt if I can’t meet the project deadline.

EXERCISE 3

Adding idioms like this one, ‘worth one’s salt’, would enhance your speaking and writing skills. By learning the meaning and practising how to use this idiom would make you confident on the exam day. Remember to consistently attempt different exercises to become fluent while showcasing your ability to use the term with greater impact and authenticity.

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Also Check: 

• Five Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary
• 1200 Common Words in IELTS Listening
• IELTS Vocabulary Words List for Band 8 or 9
• How to Build Vocabulary for the IELTS Exam: Practical Tips
• IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+